Allison K. James-Frison is a product of the Newark Board of Education (PreK-12th) and a proud parent of a future graduate of the Newark Board of Education (Bard High School Early College). While her daughter, a Sophomore, was valedictorian of her class in 2021, the focus of her educational experience was different. Allison struggled with a learning impairment while experiencing mental health challenges. These issues
remained undiagnosed until she enrolled in college at age 47. Allison doesn't want her story to be the story of any of our children.
Allison's campaign priorities include the following five areas:
- Public Safety
- Culturally Competent Teachers
- Chronic absentees
- IEP and Mental Health Assessment
- Parent Engagement
Allison is qualified to bring a professional perspective to the board through her calling as a social worker. Currently, she works for the Department of Child Protection and Permanency. Her years of experience and training in building and restoring our families and neighborhoods prove invaluable. Allison is a champion for youth with a proven track record of helping individuals reach their highest potential. As Founder of Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc., she has helped to empower over 1,200 young women in the city of Newark.
Allison serves as a Commissioner for the City of Newark’s Commission on the Status of Women as well as a former chair of the PTSO at her daughter’s school. Besides being a community servant, she is a foster parent turned adoptive parent and happily married for 10 years. Allison is a homeowner and investor in the city of Newark. You can find out more about Allisn K.James-Frison by visiting www.elect-alison.com.
2023 Candidate Q&A
Q1: Why are you running for a seat on the Newark Board of Education?
Running for the Newark Board of Education is personal for me. I completed my elementary through high school education in the Newark Public School System with a learning impairment while experiencing mental health challenges. These issues remained undiagnosed until I enrolled in college at age 47. I don't want this to be the story of any of our children. I want to ensure that no child is left behind when it comes to receiving the assessments and resources they need to move forward in life.
Q2: What is your vision for the public education sector in Newark, NJ, over the next three years?
More transparency, parent engagement, more resources, for mental health illness and learning disabilities. Also, higher test scored and community schools.
Q3: What are you planning to accomplish as a member of the board of education?
It is unpredictable for me to detect what I plan on accomplishing as a board member. The needs and concerns of our scholars, schools and teachers change every year. The Newark Board of Education has a Ten-Year-Plan; however, the pandemic (Covid-19) was not a part of the plan. However, I would like to work alongside my counterparts to increase the attendance with the hopes of approving test score learning loss.
Q4: How will you define success as a board member after one year? Two years? Three years?
My success will be defined by the parents, students, teachers, tax payers and the community that I serve. It is easy for me to say that I had as successful three years; however, the truth is in the community that I hope to serve.